Did you think the lepers should have been banished? (showing 1-15 of 15)

[Judy]

What did you think of the treatment of the leper's family?

[Guna]

I think, from today's viewpoint, the treatment of the leper's family is unconscionable - I am really glad families no longer need to be torn apart like that.

[Susan]

It seems horrible, but at the time I guess they didn't know any other way to control the spread of the disease. I just think the children should have been able to have an adult family member with them. But even saying that, could the parent or adult leave their life behind to live in the colony?

[Judy]

Guna wrote: "I think, from today's viewpoint, the treatment of the leper's family is unconscionable - I am really glad families no longer need to be torn apart like that."

The sad thing is that Rachel had it better than the other lepers, at least she had Uncle Pono and Haleola.

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "It seems horrible, but at the time I guess they didn't know any other way to control the spread of the disease. I just think the children should have been able to have an adult family member with t..."

I couldn't fully understand how Dorothy could turn her back on Rachel. However, at the end you see that she never stopped loving her, but still .... never to visit her?

[Annie]

It was horrible, but they acted out of fear and ignorance.

[Susan]

Of course they shouldn't have been banished, but is it really that different from the hysteria when people first became aware of AIDS? That wasn't very long ago, and yet some behavior was reprehensible.

Fear makes some people do very bad things.

[[deleted user]]

I agree with Susan, what would have happened to the people that had AIDS. I felt really bad when she was taken away from her family, especially her mother. I was really happy with the treatment she received once at the home where she stayed. The nun that took care of her was like a mother, so that made me happy. The book had so many ups and downs that it kept me wanting to read more. I love the way this book ended and would definitely recommend it, specially young adult, so they can see that life isn't always that bad.

[Rachielle]

Judy wrote: "Susan wrote: "It seems horrible, but at the time I guess they didn't know any other way to control the spread of the disease. I just think the children should have been able to have an adult family..."

I think Dorothy vowed never to go through the same experience again when she found that her youngest son had leprosy as well - thus the decision to move away and seclude their family, away from the health officials and prying neighbors.

[Monica]

Yes it was wrong. But fear of the unknown makes people do ignorant stuff. You should read the Samurai's Garden which also has a leprosy story and see how they were treated in japan.

[Licha]

This was so heart-wrenching. This book had me in tears from the beginning. I cannot imagine having my child torn away from me like that. But I could never get over how Rachel's mother never even visited. Her father always stuck around and was so loving towards Rachel. I felt he was the better parent and i waws glad that throughout her life Rachel had so many people in her life that showed her love and a helped her feel like she had a normal life. This book made such an impact on me. A beautiful, beautiful story.

[Mary]

I understood that at the time people were thinking of the greater good, but that would not make it any easier for the child or parents. She was fortunate to have people she developed lasting relationships with and who cared for her.

I know my statement makes it seem that I agree with the treatment. In today's world I would not but we are talking about a different time with a different medical understanding. Having spent time in an orphanage as a child I could relate to some of the adjustments she had to make. I was always going to go back to my parents. My mom was very ill and was out of the home for 9 months and dad had to work. Even though I understand that time marked my life.

[Licha]

Mary, I do believe that you are right when you say that people thought they were doing the correct thing. I'm sure it was still hard for those involved but at the time they didn't know too much about leprosy. I didn't know much about it even in this day and age until I read this book. The only thing that really bothered me though was the fact that Rachel's mom disappeared completely out of her life. I just cannot imagine never seeing your child again. Even now, talking about it, this book brings back so many emotions. The same goes for Rachel's husband's parents (sorry, it's been a while since I read, cannot remember his name) who ostracized him and saw him as bringing shame to the family. I understand that it was part of their culture, but I feel that the bonds of mother-child should be strong enough to withstand many things. I know that is not always the case, but I find it so hard to accept this behavior. It's so heartbreaking.

[Mary]

I cannot imagine turning my back on my child however she was in a position where she felt she had to choose one child or her other children. I think that would be an even more difficult position to be in. It was a loose loose situation for her.

[Licha]

Yeah, I did think of that. I wish the author had cleaned that up a bit more at the end when Rachel met up with her sister again. Maybe hearing mom's side of the story would have helped. I felt so strongly for Rachel that I think I was putting myself in her position and needed a better resolution of why mom cut all ties with Rachel. But I suppose that just like in real life, you don't necessarily get all the answers to questions you have in your life.